(2) The levels of the Babylonian universe
The vertical levels of the (generalised) Mesopotamian universe are indicated as:
Region Above the Heaven of Anu (See: The Etana Epic, Section B 30-43) (Open space implied by The Etana Epic)
Upper Heaven (High Heaven) of Anu (Highest Region of the Universe)
Middle Heaven (Intermediate High Heaven) of Igigi
Lower Heaven of the (Visible) Sky (Stars, Planets, Sun, and Moon)
The "Atmosphere" (Either not specifically listed (not considered a separate level of the universe) or identified as Part of Visible Sky (Lower Heaven); or Separate Geographical Level)
Upper Earth (Humankind, The Level of the Earth's Surface (Dry Land and Sea))
Middle Earth, Apsu of Ea (Enki/Ea) (Cosmic Subterranean Water)
Lower Earth, Underworld of Nergal (King) and Ereškigal (Queen) (Realm of the Dead) (Lowest Region of the Universe)
The existing accounts of Mesopotamian cosmology are rather limited. Unfortunately they are also conflicting. For a detailed discussion of Mesopotamian cosmology, including the Babylonian world map, see Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography by Wayne Horowitz (1998).
Copyright � 2006-2009 by Gary D. Thompson
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